rorism' in an illegal trial in South African occupied Namibia.
on 27 February on some 70 counts under South Africa's Terrorism charges of propagating communism under the Intermal Security Act were dropped.
The seven face the prospect of lengthy imprisonmenT when The trial resumes for evidence mitigation of sentencing NAMIBIA The seven accused changed their pleas to 'guilty' Act - after 108 counts and on 16 April. The convictions of the seven were obtained the basis of evidence detained state witnesses held incom.
THE FATE OF THE NAMIBIAN POPULATION Only 26 of the 154 witnesses had appeared in court so tar, out evidence was already coming forward of assault and torture. One of those detained, Thomas Nikanor, died in the notorious Osire detention centre, allegedly after hanging himself by his socks from a nail.
The seven accused are: Frans Angula 28, Norbert Ankome 25, Elkan Shoombe Simon 21, (all are general workers); Bernardinus Petrus Shikongo 47, Desiderius Ankome 26, (both teachers); Erastus Uutoni 28, (an insurance broker) and Volho Kashilulu 22 (a scholar)
The South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO) has called for a major campaign to stop this trial and secure the release both of the seven accused and the large number of state witnesses.
The courts in Namibia are imposed on the Namibian people against internatonal law and are con demned world-wide. The position the British Government has COR -sistanty taken over such trials is 'to refuse to consider intervention until the judicial process is completed.' This in effect constitutes a recognition by -Ine Government that these courts are in some way legitimate and offer a fair legal process. ty to undergoing military training, and espis of explosives, reconnaissance of security forces and sabotage within Namibia.
When the trial began proceedings stopped afte he defence stated that th South African laws being applied were in contravention of the 'Bill of Rights' endorsed by President Botha as the platform of his puppet 'transitional government' last But Justice Strydom ruled Unlal no competent auth ority' had been established I the undersigned: to overturn the laws.
The South African occupation of Namibia is illegal in international law, and the United Nations has recognised the right of the Namibian people, led by SWAPO, to wage an armed struggle in order to end the illegal occupation and bring about the independence of Namibia. The Namibia Support Committee has organised a picket on 15 April and is circulating a statement. • For more information contact: Namibian Short, On I-482 3885. Committee, Terry resort to infantry weapons' security' Duvalier. the Communists.
to be made to their left. statement saying the army was being given riot gear so it would have 'the capacity to confront internal security emergencies without having to The New York Times of 4 April also said that the USA was considering sending a number of military advisers to "teach techniques for internal The biggest security problem facing the new "democratic government is a rising wave of protests demanding elections to replace the military ruling council who took over from The Socialist Party's left' opposition CERES has voluntarily dissolved itself and the party leadership has decided to make a drive to capture the 'right-wing? voters. The leadership regards the election, in which the fascists for the first time entered parliament and the right wing parties took over the government, as a success because their party rebuilt itself at the expense of The Communist vote fell to 10 per cent and the Socialist Party vote rose slightly to 30 per cent.
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POLITICAL PRISONERS REPRESSION
The Socialists now feel there are no further gains The Communist Party, meantime, has entered